Shooting could be added to Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games after all, the Government says.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: "The Government support the notion of shooting being included."

The decision to exclude shooting from the games has led to an outcry from the sport's enthusiasts, who say it's an event where British teams traditionally excel - and might expect to win medals.

Shooting is classed as an optional sport in the Commonwealth Games, which means organisers in Birmingham were able to choose whether to include it or not.

But instead, they have decided to back optional sports including three-on-three basketball and mountain biking.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Crouch said she and Culture Secretary Matt Hancock were exploring ways that shooting could be added.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch

She said: "Shooting’s popularity across the Commonwealth nations and territories, from the largest nation to the smallest, is enormous, and the home nations have had a particularly strong track record at previous games.

"In recognition of that and of the value that shooting brings to the games, the Secretary of State and I are exploring with games partners the potential for including shooting in the sport programme.

"However, I stress that that decision is beyond our remit, and we have an enormous challenge in that Birmingham was awarded the games with just 4.5 years to deliver, rather than the usual seven years.

"While I have no doubt that the city will deliver an outstanding event, despite that timeframe, a number of practical considerations must be taken into account to ensure that the games are delivered successfully."

Birmingham City Council of an artists impression of basketball in Victoria Square in Birmingham. (Image: PA)

She added: "The Government support the notion of shooting being included, and will work with partners to overcome logistical challenges, if required. We will continue to work with games partners."

It followed complaints from Scottish Conservative MP Alister Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) that excluding shooting meant teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were missing out on medal opportunities.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: "Without a doubt, shooting is a source of extreme national pride for the home nations of the United Kingdom, as it is one of our strongest sports. In fact, we are the second strongest group in shooting events and managed to collect 38% of the medals on offer this year.

"Not adding shooting to the 2022 games has taken away 57 medal opportunities."

One potential problem is the lack of a suitable venue for shooting in the West Midlands. However, options include using a site at Bisley, Surrey, which was also used for shooting events in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.